Top 15 Best Gaming Headsets under 100 in 2018

Nothing busts stress like a round of virtual gunfire and enthusiastically name-calling a kid sitting in another continent. All video game players out there will empathize with the calm of online sword swinging and magical quests. If you are any good, you know that 50% of the player experience is in the audio. A good gaming headset is like the Kratos theme to God of Wars, integral and exciting. We believe gaming is a pricey hobby as it is and headsets shouldn’t drain your pockets out too. That’s why we found the 15 best gaming headsets under $100 for you. We dug through a lot of affordable headsets to find the ones that bang big for the bucks. We have already written a complete guide about the best bluetooth headsets under 50.

Best Gaming Headsets under $100: Buying Guide

To get the most out of your money, you need to prioritize your requirements. This helps cut down costs on features you don’t need. Here are the features that will help you shortlist the right gaming headset for you. We also explain which of them you can probably do without to keep the price tag under $100. Vheck out our complete guide about the best USB headsets for office.

Wired or Wireless: PC gamers prefer wired headsets. If you are also playing with a console, you would be using a wireless headsets. Current console generations do include headphone inputs which enable wired connection. If you are on a budget, we suggest a wired gaming headset because:

Wireless music playback needs a good technology backing it. And good wireless units don’t come cheap. You are more likely get quality wired gaming headsets under $100 than wireless ones.

Wireless headsets need to be charged regularly. What if you are in the middle of a do-or-die game and the headphones power off? We would rather use the wired headsets than go mute at a turning point in the game.

Wireless signals are obstructed by walls or other signals may interfere with it. Wired gaming headsets have no such issues. They provide static-free, break-free communication.

The only downside of the wired gaming headsets is the restricted range. And gamers tend to get over-enthusiastic and tug the wires. That being said, we have covered a couple of high-value wireless headsets too.

Surround or Stereo: True Surround sound uses more channels than the left and right drivers to create a 3D sense of sound. You feel like the sound is coming from all around you. This makes the Call of Duty sound more immediate and real. It also gives you positional cues as to where the enemy is: left, right or behind you.

Surround sound is an expensive technology to get right, so most gaming headsets under $100 resort to virtual Surround sound. This uses the same two drivers and some audio voodoo to make it sound like surround. The digital alteration of audio may rob it of some clarity. But it almost impossible to find affordable gaming headsets without this inexpensive version of Surround Sound. This is because in FPS games, the surround sound helps determine the direction the enemy attacks from.

The other kind of audio is the stereo sound. This has separate channel for left and right ears and the audio sounds 2 dimensional. Affordable gaming headsets with stereo sound are usually clearer than the virtual surround sound sets because there’s less digital distortion happening here. A good stereo headset still gives you an approximate idea of the enemy behind you.

Mic Quality: A very important part of the gaming experience is communicating. That’s why you should pick a gaming headset with a good mic. How else will you shout profanities at the players? Headsets come with either omnidirectional or unidirectional mic. Omnidirectional mic picks up voices from all directions while unidirectional mic focus on one direction. Unidirectional mics are the better choice.

Most gaming headsets have boom mics. You can also buy clip-on mics separately. These are less obtrusive as they aren’t situated right in front of your mouth like the boom mic. It is better to buy budget gaming headset and a clip-on mic separately for better communication.

Comfort: When have you ever sat down to play and left the game within an hour? What’s the point in playing Assassin’s Creed for 47 minutes? Long hours of fun demand a comfortable gaming headset. We mean headsets that don’t smoke out your ears or clamp hard on your head. Large earcups that sit on the edge or the ears or around it are more comfortable than on-ear headphone. They can also hold large drivers which are great for positional audio.

Leather earcups feel luxurious but they make the ear sweat. Wide padded headbands should have optimum clamp such that the headset sits stable on the head but doesn’t cause pain.

Which are the best gaming headsets under $100?

There was a whole slew of gaming headsets under $100. We selected the best ones based on:

Audio: We checked the audio of these gaming headsets for clarity first. Next we put them on and went gaming for hours. FPS games helped us understand how well the positional audio was deployed. We preferred an audio signature with strong bass but not so boosted that audio would sound boomy.

Mic: We checked the mic quality with various games and tried to understand if our volume could rise above the mayhem. We also asked our fellow players about any noise creeping in from our mic. Another important consideration is the position of Mute button or any indication that Mute is on.

Comfort: Most of the best gaming headsets under $100 selected here have been tested over marathon gaming for comfort. Gaming headsets that help with air circulation and prevent excessive seating were given preference. We also checked the headband clamp and the softness of earpads and headband padding.

Features and Accessories: We checked the connection options of these headsets. Ones that can be used with most gaming platforms (with or without accessories) got preference. We also included some wireless gaming headsets.

Value for Money: All these gaming headsets lie in the $0-100 price range. We compared them based on their value for money and overall performance.

Corsair Void Pro RGB gaming headset is the best deal you can get under $100. This is a premium wireless headset at a very affordable price tag. Corsair gets all the important features nailed like the audio quality with Dolby 7.1 Surround sound, audio range, mic performance. Everything else is an extra perk over an already stellar set. This is without question the best gaming headset under $100.

Design

As gaming headsets go, the Corsair Void Pro RGB has an understated elegance. Instead of going for brash colors and tacky embellishments, they have kept it classy in shades of black, white or grey, depending on the color you choose. The thick headband is sturdy plastic. But as you move down, you see metal earcups brackets. So they have reinforced the stress areas with metal. The earcups are slightly larger than the original Void. They sit around large ears than on them. They can fold flat around the neck and or portability.

The most significant comfort feature is the padding. They now use memory foam covered in a soft fabric for the headband. The earcups also have memory foam with mesh cover for breathability. The low clamp and the room for ears make these one of the most comfortable gaming headsets we have tried. There’s a foldable mic attached to the left earcup and has a pop filter at the tip. It can be turned off by retracting it up. The boom is flexible now and you can adjust its position to be undisruptive. There’s an LED close to the tip to announce the Mute status. One earcup carries the mute button, the multifunctional button and the volume dial. It also has a micro-USB port for charging.

The wireless range of this gaming headset is 40 feet. The connection remain surprisingly strong. The battery life is rated 16 hours which is plenty for a day of gaming and you can leave it for charging overnight. The back side of the earcups have the Corsair logo which lights up with RGB. Corsair Void Pro is also available in analogue and USB wired versions.

In Use

Starting out with the Corsair Void Pro RGB is a one-step process. You simply plug in the transmitter into a USB port and switch on the headset, it pair automatically. You can also install the Corsair Utility Engine. It allows you to customize the RGB lighting and mic levels.

Instead of sticking with the bass-heavy signature, the Void Pro has gone for a well-balanced audio response much like its predecessor. They show laudable maturity in handling the audio all-round. That being said, its gaming chops show up in the EQ options. Equalizing a balanced audio is much easier than enhancing an already boosted bass. Dolby 7.1 Surround is the real deal and it reflects in the way you find yourself sonically transcended to the game universe. The bullet fire. The clang of swords and eruptions fly with bassy weight but not with the unnatural boominess of overdone bass. The vocal cries of fellow team members rises above the havoc. The unidirectional mic is exceptional in picking up voice clearly and carrying over all the background noise.

The clear audio victory of the Corsair Void Pro is that it performs equally well with music and movies. So it’s more than just a gaming headset.

SteelSeries Arctis 5 RGB gaming headset is another Hi-Fi headphone which pushes precision balanced audio over the cheaper, bass-infused gaming headsets. Another major advantage is that its looks and sounds like a quality music headphone, so this is an all-round device. What’s not to like about this multi-platform gaming headset? Hence, its place in the best gaming headsets under $100 list.

Design and Features

The SteelSeries Arctis5 RGB gaming headset remind us of Oppo PM3 planar magnetic headphones. The Arctis 5 is a low-profile and elegant headset that you can wear confidently in public. It has none of that ‘gaming jazz until you connect the USB and light up the RGB logo. The build is high-quality plastic that looks and feels long lasting. It has a self-adjusting suspension-style headband. An elastic band makes contact with the head. A plastic headband acts as the secondary support and the limit of the elastic stretching. This way, the headband automatically aligns to any head size and shape. The headband is detachable through Velcro straps and SteelSeries offers funky replacements. The earcups are large and racetrack oval. The ear padding is removable. They have sheathed it with an airweave material. It’s soft and prevents sweating.

This gaming headset has retractable mic with a Mute/Unmute LED at the tip. There’s an overall volume dial on the left earcup and a mute button with raised marking for tactile advantage. There’s an 8-pin USB and a 3.5mm port as well for connection. The Arctis5 comes with different rubber-coated cables for different platforms. For Xbox users, you get a USB cable along with a USB-to-3.5mm converter. For PC, Mac or Playstation, you get a cable system. Its one part connects to the ChatMix dial and the other connects the dial to the PC/PS. The ChatMix is a volume dial with a rubber bottom. You can use it to adjust the ratio of Game Volume to Chat Volume. If you want to hear the vocals more, turn toward Chat volume and the relative volume of chat will increase compared to Game sounds. Both volumes are balanced at the center position. The overall volume controlled by the dial on the left earcup.

In Use

Plugging in the SteelSeries Arctis5 gaming headset to Xbox is fairly straight-forward. Connecting it to PC/PS for ChatMix has a few more steps. The ChatMix appears as two different devices on the PC. You have to assign the SteelSeries Arctis5 Game as the PC default playback device and SteelSeries Arctis5 Chat as the default playback device of the Chat app.

The Arctis5 gaming headset trumps the bass-bleeding signature and goes for an accurate audio response. They sound much like high-fidelity headphones meant for music, movies and gaming. It is much easier to Equalize than the bass-heavy signature. For a more impactful performance, you can EQ the bass up. The accuracy translates to laser-sharp gunfire and excellent positional audio. You get plenty of spatial cues from all sides. The audio has a nice space to it which allows you to pinpoint the enemy movement as if this were a closed-back headphone.

The 7.1 Surround sound makes the game sounds richer but muddies the Chat sounds. It has overall less clarity than the default settings. But it does create an extra dimension when you play FPS games.

The Turtle Beach Ear Force XO gaming headset is one of their entry-level headsets for Xbox One. It looks like a basic unit but it has every feature you need along with a killer audio response. The mic quality is also exceptionally clear and lucid for the price. The attractive price ultimately sealed its deal to be on the best gaming headset under $100 list.

Design and Features

The Turtle Beach Ear Force XO One gaming headset is a very basic-looking set. The plastic black body is made to be functional because Turtle Beach has invested in getting the audio quality and mic quality right. The build is lightweight but sturdy plastic. It can stand up to a lot of abuse as we have discovered in the past few months. It has become out go-to headset for Xbox One. The earcups are large and racetrack oval. They are large and sit around the moderate ears. Both the arch of the headband and the earcups have ample padding to support the light weight. And they are topped with soft mesh. This is more comfortable than leatherette. The headphones are overall easy on head, so much so that you forget you have them on.

This Turtle Beach Gaming headset has a removable mic, a fixture with many TB sets. The Mic connection locks well and the boom is flexible along the length. The XO One comes with a ChatMix controller which connects to Xbox One. You can control Game sounds and Chat sound volumes independently. The headset does not require and wires to connect to the console, so it is wireless that way. But a cable runs to the Stereo Adapter. The new adapter has 3-step mic monitoring and 3-step bass boost. With mic monitor, you can monitor your own volume and prevent shouting into the mic. We like the variability options on both.

In Use

Setting up the Turtle Beach Ear Force XO One gaming headset to play with Xbox One requires minimal connections. This headset can also connect to any device with a 3.5 mm audio output.

The XO One brings the classic Turtle Beach clarity and power to the sound. The wireless connection is strong and static-free. Bass beats with a much punch but does not overwhelm the other frequencies. You have the two-step Bass Boost option which you can use for an extra helping of bass. The audio is clean and natural with the normal bass setting. The 50mm drivers can reproduce the fiery war sounds with panache without the Bass Boost as well. The audio sounds richer and more detailed than normal audio headphones at the same price.

The Sennheiser GSP 302 gaming headset is a lesson in solid quality at a budget price tag. Sennheiser makes this weapon-grade headset to balanced weight and sturdiness. It looks like a gaming headset. And it sounds like an excellent gaming headset too. If you are looking for a dedicated set to play on PC, PS4, Mac and Xbox One, this is one of the best gaming headsets under $100.

Design and Features

The Sennheiser GSP 302 gaming headset is a beefy gaming headset through and through. However, they have kept their weight average. The earcups are large racetrack oval structures that sit completely outside the ears. They are covered in plush earpads sheathed in high quality faux leather. It is more durable than normal pleather and less sweaty than actual leather. This headset has a split headband which allows some ventilation and keeps the head cooler in the long term. The headband is mounted with thick pads sheathed in mesh for breathability.

The headband has just the appropriate amount of clamp. It does not dislodge from the head easily, no matter how enthusiastic you get playing Grand Theft Auto. This gaming headset has a folding mic. The mic can be folded up to mute. Lower it to engage the mic. There’s a large volume knob on the left earcup. It’s just easy to each up and change volume in the blind. The cable has a splitter with one branch for the headset and the other for mic. A 3.5mm combo adapter is included in the box. The cord runs 4 feet long. Our only complaint is that the cord is pretty thin and not braided. Although it hasn’t broken but it sure scares us.

In Use

The Sennheiser GSP 302 gaming headset connect easily to PC, PS4, Mac and Xbox One. It’s pretty much plug and play. The earcups of the headset are large enough to completely isolate you from ambient noise. This might sweat the ears a bit but it cuts out a lot of noise.

This gaming headset will quickly become your go-to headset for gaming. Their audio response is tweaked to respond to the mayhem of gaming sounds. There’s a solid helping of bass notes which add an extra punch to the game sounds. The boosted bass does make the audio response warmer than usual. So while we may use the GSP 300 for gaming and movies, we are unlikely to use it much for music. It does not support Surround Sound.

The mic is the best part of this gaming headset. The audio was heard so clearly over the team chat, we sounded almost as clear as if we were standing next to them. So kudos to the Sennheiser team!

The HyperX Cloud is Kingston’s first gaming headset and they nailed it in the first go. This is a beautiful set with an amazing haul of accessories. The audio also delivers the gaming punch in stereo sound. They have come up with numerous new models but it speaks to the quality of the original Cloud that it’s still popular and one of the best gaming headsets under $100.

Design and Features

The HyperX Cloud gaming headset gets major brownie points for design. The architecture is mainly plastic but it’s reinforced with aluminum for the long haul. We have meted out the regular abuse of playing World of Warcraft with this set and it is yet to show any signs of wear. It has a nice flat headband which is made for large to medium-sized heads. It has light sufficient padding with contrast stitching. The earcups swivel inwards off of their metal brackets. They are large and sit nicely around the ears. They are mounted with somewhat stiff pleather pads.

This gaming headset has removable earpads and comes with a spare pair of soft velour pads. This is a surprising addition to a budget set. The mic plugs into one of the earcups via a 3.5mm port. It has a flexible boom and a not-so-effective pop filter. The Cloud comes with a plug to cover the mic port when not in use. It comes with an inline volume and mic mute control unit. It offers both cable extension and the controls. If you don’t need this, you also get a plain extension. You get a double 3.5mm adapter and a single 3.5mm adapter for normal playback devices like smartphone. The overall braided cable reach is 3m which is pretty long enough for our use.

In Use

With the 3.5mm connections, the HyperX Cloud gaming headset is compatible for plug and play with PC, PS and Mac.

This gaming headset brought unbelievable audio to the table for a debut piece. The ringing clarity of the stereo sound and its ability to convey the weight of bullets and crashes made it an instant favorite. The earcups isolated the noise enough to hear all the detailing of Cloud. It has a full sound which offers more fidelity than a musical headphones at this price point. All this is without the 7.1 Surround Sound. The next model Cloud II adds the Surround sound for a richer experience. But with stereo sound and the price point, the HyperX Cloud remains unbeatable.

The Razer Kraken 7.1 Chroma V2 USB gaming headset is the epitome of a gaming headset. It looks like a prop out of Counter Strike and sounds brilliant like something out of the gaming universe. The Chroma V2 also brings the Surround Sound to life and remains super comfortable during playtime. This set takes well-deserved place in the best gaming headset under $100.

Design and Feature

The Razer Kraken 7.1 Chroma V2 gaming headset is one beefy unit. Most of the bulk comes from the almost 1-inch thick earpads. They weigh average and you would expect the weight of the earpads to press down on your ears. But they don’t! The round earpads engulf your ears in pillowy comfort. You can wear them for hours together. With pleather, the sweating is limited. However, you will look like a dork wearing this on the subway. The back of the earcup have an open aluminum grille. The headband is wide and thickly padded.

The mic of this gaming headset retracts inside one earcup. It has a mute button at the tip. There’s also an LED ring near the tip that shows the mute status. Apart from these, there are no controls. You have to install Razer’s Synapse software for all other settings. It is user-friendly. You have a bunch of EQ options, Surround Sound settings and RGB settings. The logo on the earcups has RGB lighting. The Chroma V2 comes with a 6-foot USB cable for connection. There’s another similar model with 3.5mm connection called Pro V2. It doesn’t have the Mute and RGB lights but it has an inline control and a longer cord. It comes in a nice magenta/fuchsia shade too.

In Use

The large earcups of the Razer Kraken 7.1 Chroma V2 gaming headset pack a larger 50mm driver now compared to earlier versions. With the Surround Sound on, you will find an open and rich audio that complements the most popular game and genres. Both single-person and multiple-player games are handled well with the visceral bass that hasn’t been overdone. The stereo sound is pretty good too, but it requires a bit of equalization to sound like a proper gaming headset. The mic is excellent and top of the range for this budget. Voice pickup is aided by noise-cancellation options from Synapse.

Surprisingly, Razer has added all music EQ presets rather than gaming headsets. You have to fiddle with the audio and manually store your gaming presets. Most gamers prefer a plug-and-play situation. The normal stereo sound is more focused on music than gaming. On the other hand, it is one of those rare gaming headset that play music brilliantly well.

The Logitech G430 gaming headset is a well thought-out unit with the most relevant features and Logitech’s Surround Sound voodoo. It gets all the basics right with long-term comfort, high quality mic and a sweat-reducing design. This is a dedicated PC/PS4 headset which earns its top place in the best gaming headset under $100 list.

Design and Features

The Logitech G430 gaming headset strikes a very favorable balance between weight and comfort. It has large rectangular earcups padded with removable cushions. The padding is sheathed in sports performance cloth that allows proper ventilation for the ears. You can also remove and replace the earpads if they get damaged. The headband has thick padding along the cranial arch which cradles the head. The clamp is balanced enough to hold it stable but not enough to hurt your ears. There are no controls on the earcups, so the circuitry is minimized and the headset remains lightweight. The earcups swivel when worn on the neck. The clamp is minimal.

This gaming headset has a folding mic. It sticks out when in use. But when folded, it does not automatically mute. We wondered why Logitech didn’t take such an easy opportunity. The cable of G430 ends in the old-school double 3.5mm jack. For PC players, you get an adapter to plug it into the USB slot. The cable has an inline remote with an overall volume wheel and a mute button. The cable is braided against possible impact from the gaming. Unlike the advanced Logitech headsets, this one comes without programmable keys.

In Use

The Logitech G430 gaming headset has a unidirectional mic which picks up your vocals expertly over the ambient noise. Logitech’s experience with computer headset does have a part in this. We could be heard clearly over the game sounds.

We used this Logitech gaming headset in the 7.1 Surround mode first. Sure enough, the audio is quite immersive. Logitech has jacked up the bass for that low-end oomph. But it’s crisp and clear. There’s no boominess in the super-bassy situations like explosions and battles. It also extends deep into the sub-bass region and creates a visceral effect. You would need a quiet place to use this headset because it has only average noise isolation. The mids and treble are pretty well-balanced. They only benefit from the calculated bass boost. The soundstage is plenty open but not as much as that of an open-back headphone. We do occasionally use them for music and movies. They are a delight for all purposes but not suitable for wearing in public.

The SteelSeries Arctis 3 gaming headset is the budget child of this line-up. It’s not a USB headset but in all other respects, it is identical to Arctis 5. The same comfort, the equally great audio chops and looks that blend in with the subway audiophiles. Like Arctis 5, this headset took a straight dive into the best gaming headsets under $100 pool.

Design and Features

The SteelSeries Arctis 3 gaming headset defies its price to look just like its more expensive cousin. It has the suspension-style self-adjusting headband. And elastic strap makes contact with the head. The elasticity of the band is restricted up to the secondary headband. The strap has a Velcro fastenings in case you want to adjust its length. This adjusts to any head size easily enough. The earcups are amply padded and sheathed in Airweave material which prevents sweating. The large racetrack oval earcups cover the ears for isolation. The headset is very sleek and with no outward gaming features, you can wear it in public.

This gaming headset has a retractable mic. It has a small LED near the tip to indicate mute status. The left earcup has the volume wheel and a tactile mute button. The cord of Arctis 3 ends in dual 3.5mm jack. It does not offer USB connectivity. But you can adjust your sound settings. The process is a little complicated and you have to set up a SteelSeries Account online and register your product. You get access to the SteelSeries Engine 3 software which is seamless and has many options including variable mic monitoring.

In Use

Setting up the SteelSeries Arctis 3 gaming headset with any platform with dual 3.5mm or single 3.5mm plug. The mic is bidirectional and crisp-sounding. It does have a slight emphasis on Ss and Ps. But the audio is clearly heard on the other end.

This gaming headset is a lesson in clean gaming audio. The bass is emphasized just the right amount to add substance to gunfire and battle cries. We loved the audio in FPS games where we got proper feedback from enemy movements and gun noise. The audio is pretty immersive with the midrange and treble balanced with the bass. This also boasts of SteelSeries 7.1 Surround sound. Based on the game, the Surround sound may or may not sound better than the stereo sound. For most of the genres, both worked for us. If you ever sign up for the Engine 3 software, you will find EQ options which create a fair difference to the sound of Arctis 3.

HyperX Cloud Stinger gaming headsets gets all the basic features spot-on. It shrugs off all the extras to create quality build, comfort and detailed audio. The design is mature and classy. A foldable mic and swiveling earcups seal the deal for these to be on the best gaming headsets under $100 list.

Design and Features

We really like the subtle elegance of the HyperX Cloud Stinger gaming headset. It’s done all in black with red logo and earcups. It sits low-profile on the ears and doesn’t stick out from your head. The racetrack oval earcups are padded and sheathed in pleather. The earcups swivel and fold flat. So it’s one of those few gaming headsets that can hang comfortably around the neck. The build quality defies the small price tag.

This gaming headset has a folding mic. It folds up when not in use. The cable of the Stinger is two-part. The upper part that connects to the headphone terminates in a single 3.5mm port and can be used with smartphones, laptops etc.. The second part is an extension that ends in dual-3.5mm for PCs. The right earcup has the volume control. These are pretty lightweight and distribute their weight well.

In Use

The HyperX gaming headset wins hearts with its audio. It packs a lot of punch for its price. Its one of the rare headsets where audio is perfectly tuned to both gaming and music. The bass response is tight and powerful. Mids and treble are detailed. Being a stereo headset, the positional cues are limited. But we would much rather have an exceptional stereo can than a poorly-done Surround Sound.

The mic is excellent in picking up your sound amidst all the external noises. It can deliver high-volume and clear audio.

Logitech G230 stereo gaming headset is the king of budget headset. If you limit your connectivity expectations to 3.5mm jacks, we cannot think of a better, more wholesome offer. It offers premium comfort and seriously elegant looks that defy the expectations from price. It takes a deserving spot on the best gaming headsets under $100 list.

Design and Features

Looks-wise, the Logitech G240 gaming headset is almost similar to the G430. The headset is made almost entirely of plastic and has a steel chassis. It has the large rectangular earcups that sit completely around the ears. It has fluffy adding on the earcups which is detachable and replaceable. The headband pressure is optimum for the weight. We can easily wear the G230 for extended periods without noticing. It feels a little rickety compared to the more expensive G430 but it hasn’t fallen apart with our regular use.

This gaming headset have decent padding along the arch of the headband too. The mic is foldable. When not in use, it can be folded up and out of the way. The earcups swivel flat for storage and for when you want to hang it around the neck. G230 connects through 3.5mm jacks whereas the pricier G430 has USB. Consequently the settings of G230 cannot be tweaked. The cable has inline volume and mute controls.

In Use

The Logitech G240 gaming headset has a very clear and neutral audio. One the one hand, it highlights every detail well. On the other hand, it does not offer any positional cues. So genres like FPS may suffer a little compared to headsets outfitted with Surround Sound. The audio offers impressive clarity and details but just not that 3D sonic richness that G430 brings. But the stereo sound is one amongst the top 10 stereo gaming headsets we have tried. It has a unidirectional mic which sounded average. It did pick up some noise but we could still be heard properly.

Logitech G533 wireless gaming headset is a premium wireless headset available under $100 now. The excellent wireless range piqued our interest in this unit first. But we fell hard for its engaging audio, the long term comfort and Logitech’s clean software interface. In no time, we put this on the best gaming headset under $100 list.

Design and Feature

The Logitech G533 wireless gaming headset is a huge improvement on the G933s. This lighter, more comfortable headset speaks of quality. It has a matte black headband with glossy earcups. The build is high-quality plastic reinforced with a metal backbone. The earcups are large and rectangular. There’s lavish padding on the earcups sheathed in mesh like material. We like that this material discourages sweating. The earcups can fold flat when not in use. This is convenient when you want to hang it around the neck.

This gaming headset has a retractable mic, it packs away right into one earcup. When folded up, it mutes itself. The same earcup has both the volume wheel and a mute button. They are built to tactile advantage. This is a wireless headset. All you have to do a USB transmitter dongle to the PC and it pairs automatically. It works for 15 hours on a single charge within a 15m range.

In Use

The Logitech G533 wireless gaming headset has a very engaging game audio. It is one of the few headsets that got Surround Sound right. We thought that it created a real sense of space and immersed us in the sounds. It helped us figure exactly where the enemy footsteps and stray bullets were coming from. The bass is crisp and puts its weight behind the battle noises. More than simply accurate, we found the audio very enjoyable. The soundstage is also plenty wide to hold the action.

The mic of this gaming headset also performed admirably. Its in-built pop filter removed the P-emphasis and relayed our voices clearly. The background noise is filtered away and the vocals are heard clearly over the game sounds. Logitech Software offers a bunch of EQ options and allows you to program the controls on the headset.

Sades SA902 gaming headset is one of the most affordable units on this list. Lightweight, comfortable and dependable, this unit covers all the basic requirements from a headset. It is for a leisure golfer who is on a shoestring budget. The wicked gaming looks and the noise isolation ultimately landed them in the best gaming headsets under $100 list.

Design and Features

The Sades SA902 gaming headset is a lightweight unit. It doesn’t feel as flimsy as the price would suggest. They are done up in all glossy black and red. The headband is broad and padded under the arch. The earcups are racetrack oval. They are padded and finished in pleather. This is the good-quality leatherette that hasn’t chipped away. The back of the earcups have red LED just to kick up the gaming ambience.

This gaming headset has a foldable mic. When not in use, it can be folded up out of the way. The mic boom can rotate 160 degrees. SA902 connects to the PC via its USB jack. The cord is braided in Nylon for extra durability. There is an inline control with volume buttons and a mute button. These can be plugged in and immediately used. However, you can download the virtual Surround Sound driver from their website for the extra effect.

In Use

The Sades SA902 gaming headset is easy to set up and play with. With the USB plug, you can plug into PC, Mac or laptop. The audio played with surprising clarity. We were enamored by the stereo sound of such an affordable headset. We got plenty of sonic feedback from other players and the noises around us in the game universe. The audio sounded engaging and detailed for the price. The mic could have better noise cancellation though.

The HyperX Cloud Core gaming headset is one of their top performers. This middle-of-the-road headset has got consistently positive feedback. It has a basic feature set with a classy build which is a far cry from the rickety cheaper headsets. We found it to be a great addition to the best gaming headset under $100 list.

Design and Features

The HyperX Cloud Core gaming headset is a solid-looking device. It has a maturity it its architecture but still a stylish edge afforded by red highlights on a black design. The headband is broad and padded well. The earcups are oval and padded opulently. The frame is lightweight aluminum and finished in plastic. The earcups can swivel forward and lean in toward your ears for maximum comfort. The clamp is pretty comfortable and the weight is very evenly distributed.

This gaming headset has a removable boom mic. It has a flexible boom so you can move it closer to the mouth. It comes with a 3.5mm male-male cable for normal audio. Accompanying this is a 2m cable extension with dual 3.5mm ports for gaming on PC. All the cables are braided in fabric for extra strength.

In Use

The HyperX Cloud Core gaming headset scores high on audio performance. It maintains a slight mid-bass boost which makes things interesting. It complements the midrange and lends it more body. Bass supports the battle noises and war cries with gusto. But the audio never sounds too boomy or bassy. For a closed-back headphone, it has a pretty spacious soundstage. This is an excellent headset for music because of its warm balanced audio.

SteelSeries Siberia V2 gaming headset edges close to greatness at a low budget. These have received rave reviews from the users and now we know why. This beautiful white specimen is funky as it is sturdy. And it has the audio chops to become the go-to best gaming headset under $100 for gamers.

Design and Features

We liked the SteelSeries Siberia V2 gaming headset’s architecture. It has a suspension style headband that’s commonly seen in AKG’s audiophile headsets. This is a self-adjusting band that adapts to the size and shape of your head. There are two flexible bars that provide proper support over the band. The earcups are round, over-ear structure. All contact surfaces are padded and finished in pleather. The earcups have an open-grille back.

This gaming headset has a retractable mic. It can be pulled out when needed. The flexile boom allows you to position it as is convenient to you. This has a thick cable that ends in dual 3.5mm jacks for mic and headset. There is an inline control or muting mic. It is available in 9 color combinations.

In Use

The SteelSeries Siberia V2 gaming headset does not support Surround Sound. But it’s a pretty sweet deal for a stereo headset. In up to moderately noisy situations in a game, it provided surprisingly clear positional cues. The good sound is based on solid bass. There is definitely some boost at play here. But it does not overwhelm the mids and treble. It can handle the complex mix of sounds during a volley of gunfire and shouting.

The mic performed well and picked up only our vocals. It cancelled out the ambient noise efficiently.

The SteelSeries Flux gaming headset is a travel-friendly and affordable addition. These are on-ear cans and super-lightweight. It may not replace a proper gaming headset for an avid gamer but it works for leisure gamers who are on a tight budget. It draws the best gaming headsets under $100 list to a close.

Design and Features

The SteelSeries Flux gaming headset is an uber-light set. The earcups are on-ear and round. They sit lightly on the ears. The earcups are round and small. They do not press down hard on the ears or clamp the head. They have soft padding with mesh covers. The arms of the headband fold inwards and reduce the footprint to half. The headband has a slotted design which allows proper ventilation. One quirk is that you can customize the backplates of the earcups.

The cable o this gaming headset is detachable. It connects to either one of the earcups through a 3.5mm jack. There’s an inline mic on this cable which hangs close to the mouth. You also get two cables, one that ends in a single 3.5mm jack and another that has dual-3.5mm jacks for gaming.

In Use

The SteelSeries Flux gaming headset is a clear and loud unit. The game sounds are not muddied or veiled. You get good bass and reasonable amount of details. We though the audio was pretty well-balanced for a budget piece. The mic picks up the voice well amidst low to moderate noise. . It can be muted via the inline control.

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